U.S. patent application number 16/451744 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-04 for giant spin-seebeck effect induced magnon transfer torque-assisted mamr.
The applicant listed for this patent is Western Digital Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael Kuok San HO, Zhanjie LI, Suping SONG.
Application Number | 20200176022 16/451744 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70848492 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200176022 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LI; Zhanjie ; et
al. |
June 4, 2020 |
GIANT SPIN-SEEBECK EFFECT INDUCED MAGNON TRANSFER TORQUE-ASSISTED
MAMR
Abstract
A magnetic recording device includes a main pole, a coil around
the main pole, a trailing shield, and a spin torque oscillation
device between the main pole and the trailing shield. The spin
torque oscillation device includes one or more first layers, a
spacer layer, and a field generation layer. The one or more first
layers are over the main pole. The one or more first layers have a
first heat conductance or include a low-heat-conductance material.
The spacer layer is over the one or more first layers. The field
generation layer is over the spacer layer. A heat sink is in
contact with the trailing shield. The heat sink has a second heat
conductance or includes a high-heat-conductance material. The
second heat conductance of the heat sink is higher than the first
heat conductance of the one or more first layers.
Inventors: |
LI; Zhanjie; (Pleasanton,
CA) ; SONG; Suping; (Fremont, CA) ; HO;
Michael Kuok San; (Emerald Hills, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Western Digital Technologies, Inc. |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70848492 |
Appl. No.: |
16/451744 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62775376 |
Dec 4, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 5/21 20130101; G11B
5/1278 20130101; G11B 5/11 20130101; G11B 2005/0024 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11B 5/21 20060101
G11B005/21; G11B 5/11 20060101 G11B005/11 |
Claims
1. A magnetic recording device, comprising: a main pole; a coil
around the main pole; a trailing shield having a notch; a spin
torque oscillation device between the main pole and the notch of
the trailing shield, the spin torque oscillation device comprising:
a non-magnetic conductive layer over the main pole, the
non-magnetic conductive layer having a first heat conductance; and
a field generation layer between the non-magnetic conductive layer
and the notch of the trailing shield; and a heat sink wrapped
around the notch of the trailing shield, the heat sink comprising
having a second heat conductance, the second heat conductance of
the heat sink higher than the first heat conductance of the
non-magnetic conductive layer.
2. The magnetic recording device of claim 1, wherein the second
heat conductance of the heat sink is a thermal conductivity of
about 130 W/mK or higher.
3. The magnetic recording device of claim 1, wherein the first heat
conductance of the non-magnetic conductive layer is a thermal
conductivity of about 90 W/mK or lower.
4. The magnetic recording device of claim 1, wherein the heat sink
comprises a material selected from a group consisting of as silver,
copper, gold, aluminum, tungsten, alloys thereof, graphite, carbon
nanotubes, and multiple layers thereof.
5. The magnetic recording device of claim 1, wherein the
non-magnetic conductive layer comprises a material selected from a
group consisting of ruthenium, tantalum, non-magnetic nickel
alloys, non-magnetic iron alloys, alloys thereof, and multiple
layers thereof.
6. The magnetic recording device of claim 1, wherein the heat sink
and the non-magnetic conductive layer form a temperature gradient
within the spin torque oscillation device from hot to cold in a
direction from the main pole to the trailing shield.
7. The magnetic recording device of claim 1, wherein the notch is
selected from a group consisting of an attached notch or a detached
notch.
8. A magnetic media drive comprising the magnetic recording device
of claim 1.
9. A magnetic recording device, comprising: a main pole; a coil
around the main pole; a trailing shield; a spin torque oscillation
device between the main pole and the trailing shield, the spin
torque oscillation device comprising: one or more first layers
having a first heat conductance over the main pole; a spacer layer
over the one or more first layers; and a field generation layer
over the spacer layer; and a heat sink in contact with the trailing
shield, the heat sink having a second heat conductance, the second
heat conductance of the heat sink higher than the first heat
conductance of the one or more first layers.
10. The magnetic recording device of claim 9, wherein the one or
more first layers comprises a non-magnetic conductive layer, the
non-magnetic conductive layer formed over the main pole.
11. The magnetic recording device of claim 10, wherein the
non-magnetic conductive layer comprises a material selected from a
group consisting of ruthenium, tantalum, non-magnetic nickel
alloys, non-magnetic iron alloys, alloys thereof, and multiple
layers thereof.
12. The magnetic recording device of claim 9, wherein the one or
more first layers comprises a spin polarization layer, the spin
polarization layer formed over a non-magnetic conductive layer
formed between the main pole and the spin polarization layer.
13. The magnetic recording device of claim 9, wherein the one or
more first layers comprise a non-magnetic conductive layer and a
spin polarization layer, the non-magnetic conductive layer formed
over the main pole and the spin polarization layer formed over the
non-magnetic conductive layer.
14. The magnetic recording device of claim 9, wherein the heat sink
is wrapped around a notch of the trailing shield.
15. The magnetic recording device of claim 9, wherein the heat sink
is wrapped around a capping layer formed between the field
generation layer and the trailing shield.
16. The magnetic recording device of claim 9, wherein the heat sink
comprises a material selected from a group consisting of as silver,
copper, gold, aluminum, tungsten, alloys thereof, graphite, carbon
nanotubes, and multiple layers thereof.
17. A magnetic media drive comprising the magnetic recording device
of claim 9.
18. A magnetic recording device, comprising: a writing means for
providing a writing magnetic field; a spin torque oscillation means
for generating a microwave assisting field; and a temperature
gradient means for producing a magnon spin current to assist in
reversal of a magnetization direction of the spin torque
oscillation means.
19. The magnetic recording device of claim 18, wherein the magnon
spin current assists in reversal of the magnetization direction of
a field generation means of the spin torque oscillation means.
20. The magnetic recording device of claim 18, wherein the magnon
spin current assists in reversal of the magnetization direction of
a spin polarization means of the spin torque oscillation means.
21. The magnetic recording device of claim 18, wherein the writing
means comprises a main pole and a return pole.
22. The magnetic recording device of claim 21, wherein the
temperature gradient means forms a temperature gradient across the
spin torque oscillation means from hot to cold in a direction from
the main pole to the return pole.
23. A magnetic media drive comprising the magnetic recording device
of claim 18.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/775,376, filed Dec. 4, 2018, which
is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to
data storage devices, and more specifically, to a magnetic media
drive employing a temperature gradient in a microwave-assisted
magnetic recording (MAMR) device.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] The heart of the functioning and capability of a computer is
the storing and writing of data to a data storage device, such as a
hard disk drive (HDD). The volume of data processed by a computer
is increasing rapidly. There is a need for higher recording density
of a magnetic recording medium to increase the function and the
capability of a computer.
[0004] In order to achieve higher recording densities, such as
recording densities exceeding 1 Tbit/in.sup.2 for a magnetic
recording medium, the width and pitch of write tracks are narrowed,
and thus the corresponding magnetically recorded bits encoded in
each write track is narrowed. One challenge in narrowing the width
and pitch of write tracks is decreasing a surface area of a main
pole of the magnetic recording head at an air bearing surface of
the recording medium. As the main pole becomes smaller, the
recording field becomes smaller as well, limiting the effectiveness
of the magnetic recording head.
[0005] Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) and microwave
assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) are two types of energy-assisted
recording technology to improve the recording density of a magnetic
recording medium, such as a HDD. In MAMR, an oscillation element or
device is located next to or near the write element in order to
produce a high-frequency magnetic field, such as in a microwave
frequency band. The high-frequency magnetic field (in addition to a
recording magnetic field emanated from a main pole of the write
element) reduces an effective coercivity of a magnetic recording
medium used to store data and allows writing of the magnetic
recording medium at lower magnetic fields emanated from the write
pole. Thus, higher recording density of the magnetic recording
medium may be achieved by MAMR technology. Therefore, there is a
need in the art for a magnetic recording head to achieve higher
recording density of the magnetic recording medium.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a
magnetic media drive employing a temperature gradient in a
microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) device.
[0007] In one embodiment, a magnetic recording device includes a
main pole, a coil around the main pole, a trailing shield having a
notch, and a spin torque oscillation device between the main pole
and the notch of the trailing shield. The spin torque oscillation
device includes a non-magnetic conductive layer and a field
generation layer. The non-magnetic conductive layer is over the
main pole. The non-magnetic conductive layer has a first heat
conductance or includes a low-heat-conductance material. The field
generation layer is between the non-magnetic conductive layer and
the notch of the trailing shield. A heat sink is wrapped around the
notch of the trailing shield. The heat sink has a second heat
conductance or includes a high-heat-conductance material. The
second heat conductance of the heat sink is higher than the first
heat conductance of the non-magnetic conductive layer.
[0008] In another embodiment, a magnetic recording device includes
a main pole, a coil around the main pole, a trailing shield, and a
spin torque oscillation device between the main pole and the
trailing shield. The spin torque oscillation device includes one or
more first layers, a spacer layer, and a field generation layer.
The one or more first layers are over the main pole. The one or
more first layers have a first heat conductance or include a
low-heat-conductance material. The one or more first layers may be
a non-magnetic conductive layer and/or a spin polarization layer.
The spacer layer is over the one or more first layers. The field
generation layer is over the spacer layer. A heat sink is in
contact with the trailing shield. The heat sink has a second heat
conductance or includes a high-heat-conductance material. The
second heat conductance of the heat sink is higher than the first
heat conductance of the one or more first layers.
[0009] In one embodiment, a method of writing data to a magnetic
medium includes providing a write current to a coil around a main
pole to produce a recording field. An electron current is provided
from the main pole through a field generation layer of a spin
torque oscillation device to a trailing shield to produce a
microwave assisting field. A temperature gradient from hot to cold
is produced across the field generation layer in a direction from
the main pole to the trailing shield. A magnon spin current is
produced from the temperature gradient. The magnon spin current
assists in reversal of a magnetization direction the field
generation layer.
[0010] In still another embodiment, a magnetic recording device
includes a writing means for providing a writing magnetic field. A
spin torque oscillation means generates a microwave assisting
field. A temperature gradient means produces a magnon spin current
to assist in reversal of a magnetization direction of the spin
torque oscillation means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] So that the manner in which the above recited features of
the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more
particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above,
may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however,
that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of
this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a magnetic media drive including a magnetic recording head.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a cross sectional side view of a head assembly facing a magnetic
disk.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a plan view of a media facing surface of a MAMR head of FIG. 2 with
a STO device between a main pole and a trailing shield in a track
direction.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a plan view of a media facing of a STO device comprising a field
generation layer formed over a notch of a trailing shield.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a plan view of a media facing of a STO device comprising a spin
polarization layer and a field generation layer formed over a notch
of a trailing shield.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a plan view of a media facing of a STO device comprising a spin
polarization layer and a field generation layer formed over a
trailing shield without a notch.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
waveforms of write electric currents supplied to q write coil of a
main pole and of waveforms of bias currents applied to a STO
device.
[0019] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals
have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements
that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements
disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other
embodiments without specific recitation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the
disclosure. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is
not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any
combination of the following features and elements, whether related
to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and
practice the disclosure. Furthermore, although embodiments of the
disclosure may achieve advantages over other possible solutions
and/or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is
achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the disclosure.
Thus, the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages
are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or
limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited
in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to "the disclosure" shall not be
construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter
disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or
limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited
in the claim(s).
[0021] The terms "over," "under," "between," "on", and other
similar terms as used herein refer to a relative position of one
layer with respect to other layers. As such, for example, one layer
disposed over or under another layer may be directly in contact
with the other layer or may have one or more intervening layers.
Moreover, one layer disposed between layers may be directly in
contact with the two layers or may have one or more intervening
layers. In contrast, a first layer "on" a second layer is in
contact with the second layer. The relative position of the terms
does not define or limit the layers to a vector space orientation
of the layers.
[0022] The term "comprises/comprising" includes the subset meaning
of "consists/consisting essentially of" and includes the subset
meaning of "consists/consisting of."
[0023] In certain embodiments, the present MAMR head includes a
spin torque oscillation (STO) device between a main pole and a
trailing shield. The STO device includes one or more first layers
proximate the main pole. The one or more first layers have a first
heat conductance or include a low-heat-conductance material. A heat
sink is wrapped around a notch of the trailing shield. The heat
sink has a second heat conductance or includes a
high-heat-conductance material. The second heat conductance of the
heat sink is higher than the first heat conductance of the one or
more first layers. The high-heat-conductance of the heat sink and
the low-heat-conductance of the one or more first layers produce a
temperature gradient across the STO device from relatively hot to
relatively cold in a direction from the main pole to the trailing
shield. A magnon spin current is produced from the temperature
gradient. The magnon spin current assists in the reversal of a
magnetization direction of a field generation layer and/or spin
polarization layer of the STO device.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a magnetic media drive including a magnetic recording head, such as
a MAMR head. Such magnetic media drive may be a single drive/device
or comprise multiple drives/devices. For the ease of illustration,
a single disk drive 100 is shown according to one embodiment. The
disk drive 100 includes at least one rotatable magnetic disk 112
supported on a spindle 114 and rotated by a drive motor 118. The
magnetic recording on each magnetic disk 112 is in the form of any
suitable patterns of data tracks, such as annular patterns of
concentric data tracks (not shown) on the magnetic disk 112.
[0025] At least one slider 113 is positioned near the magnetic disk
112. Each slider 113 supports a head assembly 121 including one or
more read/write heads, such as a MAMR head including a STO device.
As the magnetic disk 112 rotates, the slider 113 moves radially in
and out over the disk surface 122 so that the head assembly 121 may
access different tracks of the magnetic disk 112 where desired data
are written. Each slider 113 is attached to an actuator arm 119 by
way of a suspension 115. The suspension 115 provides a slight
spring force which biases the slider 113 toward the disk surface
122. Each actuator arm 119 is attached to an actuator 127. The
actuator 127 as shown in FIG. 1 may be a voice coil motor (VCM).
The VCM includes a coil movable within a fixed magnetic field, the
direction and speed of the coil movements being controlled by the
motor current signals supplied by control unit 129.
[0026] During operation of the disk drive 100, the rotation of the
magnetic disk 112 generates an air bearing between the slider 113
and the disk surface 122 which exerts an upward force or lift on
the slider 113. The air bearing thus counter-balances the slight
spring force of suspension 115 and supports slider 113 off and
slightly above the disk surface 122 by a small, substantially
constant spacing during normal operation.
[0027] The various components of the disk drive 100 are controlled
in operation by control signals generated by control unit 129, such
as access control signals and internal clock signals. Typically,
the control unit 129 comprises logic control circuits, storage
means and a microprocessor. The control unit 129 generates control
signals to control various system operations such as drive motor
control signals on line 123 and head position and seek control
signals on line 128. The control signals on line 128 provide the
desired current profiles to optimally move and position slider 113
to the desired data track on disk 112. Write and read signals are
communicated to and from the head assembly 121 by way of recording
channel 125. Certain embodiments of a magnetic media drive of FIG.
1 may further include a plurality of media, or disks, a plurality
of actuators, and/or a plurality number of sliders.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a cross sectional side view of a head assembly 200 facing the
magnetic disk 112. The head assembly 200 may correspond to the head
assembly 121 described in FIG. 1. The head assembly 200 includes a
media facing surface (MFS) 212, such as an air bearing surface
(ABS), facing the disk 112. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic disk
112 relatively moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 232
and the head assembly 200 relatively moves in the direction
indicated by the arrow 233.
[0029] In some embodiments, the head assembly 200 includes a
magnetic read head 211. The magnetic read head 211 may include a
sensing element 204 disposed between shields S1 and S2. In certain
embodiments, the sensing element 204 is a magnetoresistive (MR)
sensing element, such an element exerting a tunneling
magneto-resistive (TMR) effect, a magneto-resistance (GMR) effect,
an extraordinary magneto-Resistive (EMR) effect, or a spin torque
oscillator (STO) effect. The magnetic fields of magnetized regions
in the magnetic disk 112, such as perpendicular recorded bits or
longitudinal recorded bits, are detectable by the sensing element
204 as the recorded bits.
[0030] The head assembly 200 includes a write head 210, such as a
MAMR head. In certain embodiments, the write head 210 includes a
main pole 220, a leading shield 206, a trailing shield 240, and a
spin torque oscillator device 230 disposed between the main pole
220 and the trailing shield 240. The main pole 220 serves as a
first electrode and has a front portion at the ABS.
[0031] The main pole 220 comprises a magnetic material, such as
CoFe, CoFeNi, or FeNi, other suitable magnetic materials. In
certain embodiments, the main pole 220 comprises small grains of
magnetic materials in a random texture, such as body-centered cubic
(BCC) materials formed in a random texture. For example, a random
texture of the main pole 220 may be formed by electrodeposition,
such as electroplating. The write head 210 includes a coil 218
around the main pole 220 that excites the main pole 220 producing a
writing magnetic field structures for affecting a magnetic medium
of the rotatable magnetic disk 112. The coil 218 may be a helical
structure or one or more sets of pancake structures.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the main pole 220 includes a
trailing taper 242 and a leading taper 244. The trailing taper 242
extends from a location recessed from the MFS 212 to the MFS 212.
The leading taper 244 extends from a location recessed from the MFS
212 to the MFS 212. The trailing taper 242 and the leading taper
244 may have the same degree or different degree of taper with
respect to a longitudinal axis 260 of the main pole 220. In some
embodiments, the main pole 220 does not include the trailing taper
242 and the leading taper 244. Instead, the main pole 220 includes
a trailing side (not shown) and a leading side (not shown) in which
the trailing side and the leading side are substantially
parallel.
[0033] The trailing shield 240 is a magnetic material, such as
CoFe, CoFeNi, FeNi, or other suitable magnetic materials, serving
as a second electrode and return pole for the main pole 220. The
leading shield 206 may provide electromagnetic shielding and is
separated from the main pole 220 by a leading gap 254.
[0034] The STO device 230 is positioned proximate the main pole 220
and reduces the coercive force of the magnetic medium, so that
smaller recording fields can be used to record data. An electron
current is applied to STO device 230 from a power source 270 to
produce a microwave field. The electron current may be a direct
current (DC) waveforms, pulsed DC waveforms, and/or pulsed current
waveforms going to positive and negative voltages. The STO device
230 may be electrically coupled to the main pole 220 and the
trailing shield 240 in which the main pole 220 and the trailing
shield are separated by an insulating layer 272. The power source
270 may provide electron current to the STO device 230 through the
main pole 220 and the trailing shield 240. For direct current or
pulsed current, the power source 270 may flow electron current from
the main pole 220 through the STO device 230 to the trailing shield
240 or may flow electron current from the trailing shield 240
through the STO device 230 to the main pole 220 depending on the
orientation of the STO device 230. In other embodiments, the STO
device 230 may be coupled to electrical leads providing an electron
current other than from the main pole and/or the trailing
shield.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
a plan view of a media facing surface of a MAMR head 210 of FIG. 2
with a STO device 230 between a main pole 220 and a trailing shield
240 in the track direction. The main pole 220 of the MAMR magnetic
recording head 210 may be any suitable shape (i.e., trapezoidal,
triangular, etc.) and suitable dimensions. The STO device 230 may
be formed to any suitable shape, any suitable dimension, and any
suitable position between the main pole 220 and the trailing shield
240. For example, the width 230W of the STO device 230 may be
greater than, equal to, or less than the width 220W of the main
pole 220 at the interface with the STO device 230. The STO device
230 is positioned proximate the main pole 220 and reduces the
coercive force of the magnetic medium, so that smaller recording
fields can be used to record data. A bias current applied to the
STO device 230 from the power source 270 of FIG. 2 produces an
assisting magnetic field, such as a microwave field. The bias
current may be direct current (DC) waveforms, pulsed DC waveforms,
and/or pulsed current waveforms going to positive and negative
voltages. In certain embodiments, the STO device 230 is formed over
a notch 269. The notch 269 may be an attached notch formed by
patterning and lithography processes of the trailing shield 240 to
form the notch 269 to any suitable dimension. In other embodiments,
notch 269 may be a detached notch in which the notch is formed from
a deposited layer over the trailing shield 240. For ease of
description, an attached notch and a detached notch are
collectively referred to as notch 269. The notch 269 helps to
alleviate cross-track interference and to minimize formation of
stray fields.
[0036] The STO device 230 comprises one or more
low-heat-conductance layers 290 proximate the main pole 220 and/or
in contact with the main pole 220. The low-heat-conductance layer
290 comprises a material having a low thermal conductivity measured
at 25.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure of about 90 W/mK or lower,
such as 60 W/mK or lower or such as 30 W/mK or lower.
[0037] In certain embodiments, a heat sink 280 is formed wrapping
around the notch 269. In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280
comprises a high-heat-conductance electrically-conductive material,
such as silver, copper, gold, aluminum, tungsten, alloys thereof,
graphite, carbon nanotubes, and multiple layers thereof. In certain
embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprises a high-heat-conductance
electrically-conductive material having a high thermal conductivity
measured at 25.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure of about 130 W/mK
or higher, such as about 150 W/mK or higher or such as about 170
W/mK or higher. In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprises
a high-heat-conductance electrically-insulating material, such as
aluminum nitride (AlN), silicon carbide (SiC), diamond-like carbon,
other high-heat-conductance dielectric ceramics, and multiple
layers thereof. In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprises
a high-heat-conductance electrically-insulating material having a
thermal conductivity measured at 25.degree. C. at atmospheric
pressure of about 130 W/mK or higher, such as about 150 W/mK or
higher or such as about 170 W/mK or higher.
[0038] The low-heat-conductance layer 290 of the STO device 230 and
the heat sink 280 form a temperature gradient 295 across the STO
device 230. The temperature gradient 295 of the STO device 230
comprises a relatively hot region proximate the main pole 220 and a
relatively cold region proximate the trailing shied 240.
[0039] A leading shield 206 may be positioned on one or more sides
of the main pole 220 with the leading gap 254 therebetween. A side
gap 246 may be positioned on the sides of the STO device 230. The
leading gap 254 and the side gap 246 may comprise an insulating
material.
[0040] FIGS. 4-6 are schematic illustrations of certain embodiments
of a plan view of a media facing of a STO device 230 of the MAMR
head 210 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and like numerals have been used for
ease of description. The STO device 230 may be formed by deposition
or lamination of materials over the main pole 220 along with
patterning and lithography processes or by deposition or lamination
of materials over the notch 269 of the trailing shield 240 along
with patterning and lithography processes.
[0041] Each of the STO devices 230 of FIGS. 4-6 includes a field
generation layer (FGL) 440. The FGL 440 may comprise FeCo, NiFe,
CoPt, CoCr, CoIr, CoFeAli, CoFeGe, CoMnGe, CoFeAl, CoFeSi, CoMnSi,
TbFeCo, and other magnetic materials.
[0042] In FIG. 4, the STO device 230 is formed between the main
pole 220 and the notch 269 of the trailing shield 240. The STO
device 230 includes a non-magnetic conductive (NMG) layer 410 over
or on the main pole 220, the FGL 440 over or on the NMG layer 410,
and a spacer layer 450 over or on the FGL 440. The heat sink 280 is
wrapped around notch 269 of the trailing shield 240.
[0043] In certain embodiments, the NMG layer 410 includes NiCr, Cr,
Pt, Ir, Cu, Ta, Ru, other non-magnetic conductive materials, alloys
thereof, and multiple layers thereof. The NMG layer 410 comprises a
conductive material so that a bias electron current may flow from
the main pole 220 through the STO device 230 to the notch 269 of
the trailing shield 240.
[0044] The spacer layer 450 between the FGL 268 and the notch 269
includes one or more non-magnetic conductive materials, such as Au,
Ag, Pt, Ta, Ir, Al, Si, Ge, Ti, Cu, Pd, Ru, Mo, W, AgSn, other
non-magnetic conductive materials, alloys thereof, and multiple
layers thereof.
[0045] The recording magnetic field applied from the main pole 220
to the STO device 230 maintains the magnetization direction of the
FGL 440 so that the FGL 440 can oscillate to produce a microwave
field. The notch 269 of the trailing shield 240 acts as a reference
layer. When an electron current (such as a current density on the
order of 1.times.10.sup.8 A/cm.sup.2) flows through the STO device
230, such as from the main pole 220 to the trailing shield 240, the
electrons passing through the FGL 440 imparts a spin torque to the
FGL 440 causing the FGL 440 to emit a high-frequency rotating or
oscillating magnetic field, such as a microwave field. The
microwave field emitted to the magnetic recording medium assists
the recording magnetic field by reducing the coercive force and
reducing the switching field threshold of the recording medium.
[0046] In certain embodiments, the NMG layer 410 comprises a
low-heat-conductance material. Examples of low-heat conductance
materials of the non-magnetic-conductive (NMG) layer 410 include
ruthenium, tantalum, non-magnetic nickel alloys, non-magnetic iron
alloys, alloys thereof, and multiple layers thereof.
[0047] The low-heat-conductance NMG layer 410 and the heat sink 280
form the temperature gradient 295. The temperature gradient 295 is
formed across the FGL 440 in which the temperature of the NMG layer
410 is relatively hotter than the temperature of the spacer layer
450. Due to the giant spin-Seebeck effect, the temperature gradient
295 causes a thermal spin current or magnon spin current through
the FGL 440. The magnitude of the magnon spin current is
proportional to the magnitude of the temperature gradient 295. The
direction of the magnon spin current is in the direction of the
temperature gradient 295 from hot to cold in a direction from the
main pole 220 to the trailing shield 240.
[0048] In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprising a
high-heat-conductance electrically-conductive material is formed to
a thickness 280T that is equal to or less than the thickness 269T
of the notch 269. In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 is
formed to a thickness 280T less than the thickness 269T of the
notch 269 to help ensure that electron current flow is from the
main pole 220 through the NMG layer 410, through the FGL 440,
through the spacer layer 450, and to the notch 269. If the heat
sink 280 comprising a high-heat-conductance electrically-conductive
material is formed to a thickness 280T that is greater than the
thickness 269T of the notch 269, then some electron current may
undesirably bypass the notch 269 and flow directly through the heat
sink 280. Electron current by-passing the notch 269 would
undesirably reduce the transmittal of spin current to the FGL 440
and would undesirably reduce the generated high-frequency assisting
magnetic field, such as a microwave field.
[0049] In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprising a
high-heat-conductance electrically-insulating material is formed to
any suitable thickness 280T in comparison to the thickness of the
notch 269, such as less than, equal to, or greater than the
thickness 269T of the notch 269. For example, the heat sink 280 may
be formed to a thickness 280T greater than the thickness of the
notch 269 for increased dissipation of the heat of the notch 269.
For embodiments in which the heat sink 280 comprises a
high-heat-conductance electrically-insulating material, electron
current flow is from the main pole 220 through the NMG layer 410,
through the FGL 440, through the spacer layer 450, and to the notch
269 without bypassing the notch 269 since the heat sink 280 is
electrically insulative. In certain embodiments, the thickness 280T
of the heat sink 280 comprising a high-heat-conductance
electrically-insulating material is larger than the thickness 269T
of the notch 269 but less than the thickness 450T of the spacer
layer 450 plus the thickness 269T of the notch 269.
[0050] In FIG. 5, the STO device 230 is formed between the main
pole 220 and the notch 269 of the trailing shield 240. The STO
device 230 comprises a non-magnetic conductive (NMG) layer 410 over
or on the main pole 220, a spin polarization layer (SPL) 420 over
or on the NMG layer 410, a first spacer layer 430 over or on the
SPL 420, the FGL 440 over or on the spacer layer 430, and a second
spacer layer 450 over or on the FGL 440. The heat sink 280 is
wrapped around notch 269 of the trailing shield 240.
[0051] In certain embodiments, the NMG layer 410 comprises NiCr,
Cr, Pt, Ir, Cu, Ta, Ru, other non-magnetic conductive materials,
alloys thereof, and multiple layers thereof. The NMG layer 410
comprises a conductive material so that a bias electron current may
flow from the main pole 220 through the STO device 230 to the notch
269 of the trailing shield 240.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the SPL 420 comprises NiFe, CoFe,
CoFeNi, CoMnGe, NiCo, NiFeCu, CoFeMnGe, CoMnSi, CoFeSi, other high
magnetic anisotropy materials, other Heusler alloys, other suitable
magnetic layers, and multiple layers thereof. The SPL 420 can
comprise a material having magnetic anisotropy oriented in a
direction perpendicular or longitudinal to the film plane of the
SPL 420. The SPL 420 transmits spin torque to the FGL 440 causing
oscillation of the magnetization of the FGL 440 at high velocity in
a plane to thereby generate a high-frequency magnetic field, such
as a microwave field. The magnetization direction of the SPL 420 is
switchable by the recording field of the write pole 220. Reversal
of the magnetization direction of the SPL 420 switches the
magnetization direction of the injected electrons into the FGL
440.
[0053] Spin torque transmitted from the SPL 420 to the FGL 440
causes oscillation of the magnetization of the FGL 440 generating a
high-frequency magnetic field, such as a microwave field. The
recording magnetic field applied from the main pole 220 to the STO
device 230 maintains the magnetization direction of the SPL 420 and
the FGL 440 so that the FGL 440 can oscillate to produce a
microwave field. When an electron current flows through the STO
device 230 from the SPL 420, such as from the main pole 220 to the
trailing shield 240, the electrons passing through the SPL 420 are
polarized. The stream of polarized electrons from the SPL 420 to
the FGL 440 imparts a spin torque to the FGL 440 causing the FGL
440 to emit a high-frequency magnetic field to the magnetic
recording medium reducing the coercive force and reducing the
switching field threshold of the recording medium. The spin torque
transmitted from SPL 420 to the FGL 440 along with the spin current
produced by the notch 269 acting as a reference layer produce a
microwave assisting field.
[0054] The first spacer layer 430 between the SPL 420 and the FGL
440 may include one or more non-magnetic conductive materials, such
as Au, Ag, Pt, Ta, Ir, Al, Si, Ge, Ti, Cu, Pd, Ru, Mo, W, AgSn,
other non-magnetic conductive materials, alloys thereof, and
multiple layers thereof. The first spacer layer 430 may reduce
exchange coupling between the SPL 420 and the FGL 440. The first
spacer layer 430 may be made of a material having a high spin
transmissivity for spin torque transfer from the SPL 420 to the FGL
440.
[0055] The second spacer layer 450 between the FGL 268 and the
notch 269 may include one or more non-magnetic conductive
materials, such as Au, Ag, Pt, Ta, Ir, Al, Si, Ge, Ti, Cu, Pd, Ru,
Mo, W, AgSn, other non-magnetic conductive materials, alloys
thereof, and multiple layers thereof.
[0056] In certain embodiments, the NMG layer 410 comprises a
low-heat-conductance layer. Examples of low-heat conductance
materials of the non-magnetic-conductive (NMG) layer 410 include
ruthenium, tantalum, non-magnetic nickel alloys, non-magnetic iron
alloys, alloys thereof, and multiple layers thereof. In certain
embodiments, the SPL 420 comprises a low-heat-conductance material.
Examples of low-heat conductance materials of the SPL 420 include
magnetic nickel alloys, magnetic iron alloys, alloys thereof, and
multiple layers thereof. In certain embodiments, both the NMG layer
410 and the SPL 420 comprise a low-heat-conductance layer.
[0057] The low-heat-conductance layer (NMG layer 410 and/or SPL
420) and the heat sink 280 form the temperature gradient 295. The
temperature gradient 295 is formed across the SPL 420 and FGL 440
in which the temperature of the NMG layer 410 is relatively hotter
than the temperature of the first spacer layer 430 and in which the
first spacer layer 430 is relatively hotter than the second spacer
layer 450. Due to the giant spin-Seebeck effect, the temperature
gradient 295 causes a thermal spin current or magnon spin current
through the FGL 440. The magnitude of the magnon spin current is
proportional to the magnitude of the temperature gradient 295. The
direction of the magnon spin current is in the direction of the
temperature gradient 295 from hot to cold in a direction from the
main pole 220 to the trailing shield 240.
[0058] In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprising a
high-heat-conductance electrically-conductive material is formed to
a thickness 280T that is equal to or less than the thickness 269T
of the notch 269. In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 is
formed to a thickness 280T less than the thickness 269T of the
notch 269 to help ensure that electron current flow is from the
main pole 220 through the NMG layer 410, through the SPL 420,
through the first spacer layer 430, through the FGL 440, through
the second spacer layer 450, and to the notch 269. If the heat sink
280 comprising a high-heat-conductance electrically-conductive
material is formed to a thickness 280T that is greater than the
thickness 269T of the notch 269, then some electron current may
undesirably bypass the notch 269 and flow directly through the heat
sink 280. Electron current by-passing the notch 269 would
undesirably reduce the transmittal of spin current to the FGL 440
and would undesirably reduce the generated high-frequency assisting
magnetic field, such as a microwave field.
[0059] In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprising a
high-heat-conductance electrically-insulating material is formed to
any suitable thickness 280T is comparison to the thickness of the
notch 269, such as less than, equal to, or greater than the
thickness 269T of the notch 269. For example, the heat sink 280 may
be formed to a thickness 280T greater than the thickness of the
notch 269 for increased dissipation of the heat of the notch 269.
For embodiments in which the heat sink 280 comprises a
high-heat-conductance electrically-insulating material, electron
current flow is from the main pole 220 through the NMG layer 410,
through the SPL 420, through the first spacer layer 430, through
the FGL 440, through the second spacer layer 450, and to the notch
269 without bypassing the notch 269 since the heat sink 280 is
electrically insulative. In certain embodiments, the thickness 280T
of the heat sink 280 comprising a high-heat-conductance
electrically-insulating material is larger than the thickness 269T
of the notch 269 but less than the thickness 450T of the second
spacer layer 450 plus the thickness 269T of the notch 269 to help
ensure the temperature gradient 295 is relatively hot to cold in a
direction from main pole 220 to trailing shield 240.
[0060] In FIG. 6, the STO device 230 is formed over the trailing
shield 240 without a notch. The STO device 230 comprises a
non-magnetic conductive (NMG) layer 410 over or on the main pole
220, a spin polarization layer (SPL) 420 over or on the NMG layer
410, a spacer layer 430 over or on the SPL 420, the FGL 440 over or
on the spacer layer 430, and a capping layer 460 over or on the FGL
440. The STO device 230 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are similar except the
STO device 230 is formed over the trailing shield 240 without a
notch.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 6, a capping layer 460 is formed between
the FGL 440 and the trailing shield 240. The capping layer 460 may
comprise one or more non-magnetic conductive layers, or
combinations thereof. Examples of a non-magnetic conductive layer
of the capping layer 460 comprises NiCr, Cr, Pt, Ir, Ta, Ru, other
non-magnetic conductive materials, and alloys thereof. In certain
embodiments, the capping layer 460 protects the STO device 230
during formation of the STO device and formation of the magnetic
write head 210, such as during deposition, patterning, cleaning,
etc.
[0062] In certain embodiments, the NMG layer 410 comprises a
low-heat-conductance layer. Examples of low-heat conductance
materials of the non-magnetic-conductive (NMG) layer 410 include
ruthenium, tantalum, non-magnetic nickel alloys, non-magnetic iron
alloys, alloys thereof, and multiple layers thereof.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the SPL 420 comprises a
low-heat-conductance material. Examples of low-heat conductance
materials of the SPL 420 include magnetic nickel alloys, magnetic
iron alloys, alloys thereof, and multiple layers thereof.
[0064] In certain embodiments, both the NMG layer 410 and the SPL
420 comprise a low-heat-conductance layer. The low-heat-conductance
layer (NMG layer 410 and/or SPL 420) and the heat sink 280 form the
temperature gradient 295. The temperature gradient 295 is formed
across the SPL 420 and FGL 440 in which the temperature of the NMG
layer 410 is relatively hotter than the temperature of the spacer
layer 430 and in which the spacer layer 430 is relatively hotter
than the capping layer 460. Due to the giant spin-Seebeck effect,
the temperature gradient 295 causes a thermal spin current or
magnon spin current through the FGL 440. The magnitude of the
magnon spin current is proportional to the magnitude of the
temperature gradient 295. The direction of the magnon spin current
is in the direction of the temperature gradient 295 from hot to
cold in a direction from the main pole 220 to the trailing shield
240.
[0065] In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprising a
high-heat-conductance electrically-conductive material is formed to
a thickness 280T that is equal to or less than the thickness 269T
of the notch 269. In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 is
formed to a thickness 280T less than the thickness 460T of the
capping layer 460 to help ensure that electron current flow is from
the main pole 220 through the NMG layer 410, through the SPL 420,
through the first spacer layer 430, through the FGL 440, through
the second spacer layer 450, and to the notch 269. If the heat sink
280 comprising a high-heat-conductance electrically-conductive
material is formed to a thickness 280T that is greater than the
thickness 460T of the capping layer 460, then some electron current
may undesirably bypass the capping layer 460 and flow through the
heat sink 280. Electron current by-passing the capping layer 460
would undesirably reduce the transmittal of spin current to the FGL
440 and would undesirably reduce the generated high-frequency
assisting magnetic field, such as a microwave field.
[0066] In certain embodiments, the heat sink 280 comprising a
high-heat-conductance electrically-insulating material is formed to
any suitable thickness 280T is comparison to the thickness 460T of
the capping layer 460, such as less than, equal to, or greater than
the thickness 460T of the capping layer 460. For example, the heat
sink 280 may be formed to a thickness 280T greater than the
thickness 460T of the capping layer 460 for increased dissipation
of the heat of the capping layer 460. For embodiments in which the
heat sink 280 comprises a high-heat-conductance
electrically-insulating material, electron current flow is from the
main pole 220 through the NMG layer 410, through the SPL 420,
through the first spacer layer 430, through the FGL 440, through
the capping layer 460, and to the trailing shield 240 without
bypassing the capping layer 460 since the heat sink 280 is
electrically insulative. In certain embodiments, the thickness 280T
of the heat sink 280 comprising a high-heat-conductance
electrically-insulating material is larger than the thickness 460T
of the capping layer 460 but less than the thickness 440T of the
FGL 440 plus the thickness 460T of the capping layer 460.
[0067] In FIGS. 4-6, the temperature gradient 295 is produced so
that the STO device 330 is relatively hot to relatively cold across
the FGL 440 in a direction from the main pole 220 to the trailing
shield 240. In FIGS. 5-6, the temperature gradient 295 is also
produced so that the STO device 330 is relatively hot to relatively
cold across the SPL 420 in a direction from the main pole 220 to
the trailing shield 240. The layers of the STO device 230 undergoes
joule heating when a bias current is applied to the STO device 230
to produce the microwave assist field to assist the recording
field. The low-heat-conductance layer of the STO device 230, such
as the NMG layer and/or SPL 420, causes the STO device 230
proximate the main pole 220 to relatively retain heat and to become
relatively hot in temperature. The heat sink 280 comprising a
high-heat-conductance material (electrically conductive or
electrically insulative) causes the STO device 230 proximate the
trailing shield 240 to dissipate heat and to become relatively cold
in temperature. In certain embodiments, a temperature gradient 295
of 1.0 Kelvin/nm or more is produced across the STO device 230 from
the NMG layer 410 to the spacer layer 450 in regards to FIGS. 4 and
5 and across the STO device 230 from the NMG layer 410 to the
capping layer 460 in regards to FIG. 6. In certain embodiments, a
temperature gradient 295 of 1.5 Kelvin/nm or more is across the STO
device 230 from the NMG layer 410 to the spacer layer 450 in
regards to FIGS. 4 and 5 and across the STO device 230 from the NMG
layer 410 to the capping layer 460 in regards to FIG. 6. A
temperature gradient of 1.0 Kelvin/nm produces a magnon spin
current in a range from about 1.times.10.sup.10 A/m.sup.2 to about
1.times.10.sup.11 A/m.sup.2, which is a comparable magnitude of the
critical current density J.sub.c of about 5.times.10 A/m.sup.2 for
magnetization reversal or switching of the FGL 440 of FIGS. 4-6 and
the SPL 420 of FIGS. 5-6. Magnon spin current is generated by the
temperature gradient 295 and not by temperature itself. In other
words, the STO device 230 as a whole may be cold, but a temperature
gradient 295 relatively hot to relatively cold across the FGL 440
and/or across the SPL 420 in a direction from the main pole 220 to
the trailing shield 240 will produce a magnon spin current.
[0068] In certain embodiments, the electric-current-driven spin
current and the magnon spin current produce a greater
microwave-assist field to reduce the coercivity of the recording
medium. In certain embodiments, the magnon spin current lowers the
critical current for reversal of the FGL 440 and/or SPL 420 in
accordance with the direction of the recording field from the main
pole 220.
[0069] In regards to FIGS. 4-6, the magnetization direction of the
FGL 440 is reversed to switch the direction of the oscillating
field produced by the FGL 440. Switching the direction of the
oscillating field of the FGL 440 provides a more consistent
microwave assisting field when the recording field is changed from
the switch in polarization of the write pole 220 for low write
errors. A delay in reversal of the FGL 440 may undesirably cause
longer write times and/or may increase write errors.
[0070] In regards to FIGS. 5-6, the magnetization direction of the
SPL 420 is reversed to switch the magnetization direction of the
injected electrons into the FGL 440. Switching of the magnetization
direction of the injected electrons from the SPL 420 and the
magnetization direction of the oscillating field produced by the
FGL 440 produces a more consistent microwave assisting field for
low write errors.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of
waveforms of write electric currents supplied to the write coil 218
of the main pole 220 and of waveforms of bias currents applied to
the STO device 230 of FIGS. 4-6.
[0072] The waveform 710 provided to the write coil 218 energizes
the main pole 220 to produce a recording magnetic field to align or
switch a media bit, such as a perpendicular recorded bit or a
longitudinal recorded bit, of the magnetic recording medium in
alignment with the recording magnetic field.
[0073] In certain embodiments, a waveform 720 is provided to the
STO device 230 to provide an assisting microwave magnetic field.
The waveform 720 may be a constant DC bias waveform 720A which
remain on regardless of the change in polarity of the write current
waveform 710. The waveform 720 may be a pulse assist waveform 720B.
The pulse assist waveform 720B includes pulses 722B to roughly
correspond whenever the write current waveform 710 changes
polarity. The waveform 720 may be a pre-pulse assist waveform 720C
with pulses 722C in the opposite polarity to rough precede the
change in polarity of the write current waveform 710.
[0074] In certain embodiments, a magnon spin current 750 is
produced by the temperature gradient 295 and is provided through
the FGL 440 and/or SPL 420. Due to joule heating of the STO device
230, the magnon spin current 750 will be produced at various levels
regardless of the shape of the waveform 720 of the bias current
applied to the STO device 230. As long as there is a temperature
gradient 295 from relatively hot to relatively cold in a direction
from the main pole 220 to the trailing shield 240, a magnon spin
current 750 will be produced. The magnon spin current 750 assists
in the reversal of the magnetization direction of the FGL 440
and/or the SPL 420 reducing the lag time to establish a stable
oscillation of the FGL 440 to produce an assisting microwave field
after the switching of the recording field by the waveform 710 of
the write current. Although the magnon spin current 750 is shown
schematically at a constant level in FIG. 7, it is understood that
the magnon spin current 750 may be at any level (such as increased,
decreasing, undulating) during operation of the MAMR recording
device.
Examples
[0075] TABLE 1 lists the thermal conductivities of various
materials. These thermal conductivities are not to be used to limit
the scope of the claims unless specifically set forth in the
claims. Thermal conductivities may vary due to bulk measurements
versus think film measurements, due to differences in
preparing/depositing the materials, due to differences in the
composition of the materials, due to differences in post-treatment
of the materials (i.e., such as an anneal treatment), and/or due to
other factors.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Thermal Conductivity Material (at 25.degree.
C. at atmospheric pressure [W/m K]) Aluminum 237 Aluminum Nitride
170-285 Aluminum Oxide 30 Cobalt 69 Copper 401 Chromium 91
Diamond-like Carbon 550 or greater Graphite/Carbon 379 or greater
Nanotubes Gold 317 Iron 80 Magnesium 159 Manganese 8 Nickel 90
Nickel Alloys 12-60 Platinum 73 Silver 427 Silicon Carbide 120
Silicon Nitride 30 Rhodium 150 Ruthenium 58 Tantalum 57.5 Titanium
20 Titanium Nitride 19 Tungsten 178 Zinc 115
[0076] In other MAMR heads, heat sinks were used to lower the
temperature of the main pole to increase the magnetization of a
generated recording field. In some other MAMR heads, heat sinks
were used to lower the temperature of the STO device to reduce
joule heating of the STO device increasing the lifetime and
reliability of the STO device. In still other MAMR heads, a
temperature gradient was formed in which the notch was relatively
hotter than the SPL.
[0077] In certain embodiments, the present MAMR head includes a
spin torque oscillation (STO) device between a main pole and a
trailing shield. The STO device includes one or more first layers
proximate the main pole. The one or more first layers have a first
heat conductance or include a low-heat-conductance material. The
one or more first layers may be a low-heat-conductance non-magnetic
conductive layer and/or a low-heat-conductance spin polarization
layer. A heat sink is wrapped around a notch of the trailing shield
or around a capping layer of the trailing shield without a notch.
The heat sink has a second heat conductance or includes a
high-heat-conductance material. The second heat conductance of the
heat sink is higher than the first heat conductance of the one or
more first layers. The high-heat-conductance of the heat sink and
the low-heat-conductance of the first layer(s) produce a
temperature gradient across the STO device from relatively hot to
relatively cold in a direction from the main pole to the trailing
shield. A magnon spin current is produced from the temperature
gradient. The magnon spin current assists in the reversal of a
magnetization direction of a field generation layer and/or spin
polarization layer of the STO device.
[0078] In one embodiment, a magnetic recording device includes a
main pole, a coil around the main pole, a trailing shield having a
notch, and a spin torque oscillation device between the main pole
and the notch of the trailing shield. The spin torque oscillation
device includes a non-magnetic conductive layer and a field
generation layer. The non-magnetic conductive layer is over the
main pole. The non-magnetic conductive layer has a first heat
conductance or includes a low-heat-conductance material. The field
generation layer is between the non-magnetic conductive layer and
the notch of the trailing shield. A heat sink is wrapped around the
notch of the trailing shield. The heat sink has a second heat
conductance or includes a high-heat-conductance material. The
second heat conductance of the heat sink is higher than the first
heat conductance of the non-magnetic conductive layer.
[0079] In another embodiment, a magnetic recording device includes
a main pole, a coil around the main pole, a trailing shield, and a
spin torque oscillation device between the main pole and the
trailing shield. The spin torque oscillation device includes one or
more first layers, a spacer layer, and a field generation layer.
The one or more first layers are over the main pole. The one or
more first layers have a first heat conductance or include a
low-heat-conductance material. The one or more first layers may be
a non-magnetic conductive layer and/or a spin polarization layer.
The spacer layer is over the one or more first layers. The field
generation layer is over the spacer layer. A heat sink is in
contact with the trailing shield. The heat sink has a second heat
conductance or includes a high-heat-conductance material. The
second heat conductance of the heat sink is higher than the first
heat conductance of the one or more first layers.
[0080] In one embodiment, a method of writing data to a magnetic
medium includes providing a write current to a coil around a main
pole to produce a recording field. An electron current is provided
from the main pole through a field generation layer of a spin
torque oscillation device to a trailing shield to produce a
microwave assisting field. A temperature gradient from hot to cold
is produced across the field generation layer in a direction from
the main pole to the trailing shield. A magnon spin current is
produced from the temperature gradient. The magnon spin current
assists in reversal a magnetization direction of the field
generation layer.
[0081] In still another embodiment, a magnetic recording device
includes a writing means for providing a writing magnetic field. A
spin torque oscillation means generates a microwave assisting
field. A temperature gradient means produces a magnon spin current
to assist in reversal of a magnetization direction of the spin
torque oscillation means.
[0082] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
* * * * *